Electric light socket



Filed June 12, 1930 me/nto@ Patented Mar. 1, 1932 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE y JOHN' WEBER,` OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WEBER ELCTRICCOM- IP ANY, SCHENECTADY, NEW' YORK, A CORPORATION' OF NEW YORK ELECTRIC LIGHT soCKET Application led .Tune 12,

The present invention relates to sockets for electric light bulbs.

These sockets comprise an external shell or casing which may be of metallic or molded material, such as porcelain or phenolic composition. Within the shell are disposed the electrical conductor and bulb contactparts, the latter being ordinarily separated from the shell by means of a liner. This liner serves to protect the interior parts from the shell and, when the'latter is of conducting material, to insulate the shell.

An object of the present invention is to Y provide a socket having a ydistinctive and attractive appearance, and to produce this effect without increasing the number of parts or making the socket more expensive to produce. e

A further object of the invention is to provide a socket construction, the appearance of which may be readily modified, as desired, for instance to Y suit any particular color scheme or surroundings. These and' other objects of the invention will become clearer as the description proceeds in connection with a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the shell body with the cap removed.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1, and

Figure l is a side elevational view of the liner removed from the shell.

As is well understood, electric lamp sockets are now of substantially standardized construction and comparatively inexpensive. These sockets have been heretofore regarded as primarily, and almost essentially, of utilitarian character, and little or no attempt has been made to render the same more attractive.

A primary reason is that the trade has been accustomed to demand a sturdy and lasting construction at an inconsiderable price. Therefore, manufacturers have thought it impracticable to ornament and render the socket more pleasing and attractive in appearance without objectionably increasing its expense.

I have discovered, however, that a socket 1930. serial No. 460,655.

Moreover, I have found that this may be` accomplished in such a way that the general color or ornamental effect relied upon for the distinctive appearance may be varied without discarding the shell or interior parts.

In carrying out the invention, a socket of standard size and shape is utilized. The same comprises a shell body 10 which may, if desired, have the usual lateral opening 11 for the switch operating mechanism, if the shell is to contain switch parts. The shell is provided with a cap 12, which is tted over the open top 10 (Fig. 2) of the shell body and secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by means of outstanding lugs on the body (not shown) adapted to project into openings 13 upon the cap. The body has a' reduced neck portion 14 externally threaded as at 15, and adapted to receive therein they base of a light bulb. Within the shell body is disposed a liner 16 extending from the top 10 to the lower end 10". This liner may be used in substantially all types of shells, whether the same be of metal, as shown in the drawings, or of porcelain or a phenolic condensation material. The liner serves to insulate the shell from the contained electrical conductor and lamp contact parts which is desirable when the shell is of metallic or conducting material, and servesalso to separate the interior parts from the shell, which is desirable, regardless of the character of the material from which the shell is formed.

In carrying out the invention, I also utilize this liner for the purpose of producing a novel appearance and ornamental effect. Toward this end, the shell may be provided with one or more openings around the liner, the openings preferably being disposed at the reduced neck portion which is ordinarily the part ofthe shell exposed in use. For example, the openings 18, which are elongated lengthwise of the shell, may extend completely around the reduced neck portion. As will be understood, the liner is exposed through these openings and the surface of the liner may be ornamented in any suitable manner. By ornamenting the surface of the lincr'in registry with the openings, the ornamental surface is exposed through the latter, and if the color of the ornamental surface contrasts with the color of the shell, as is desirable, there is afforded, without additional parts, a shell which is radically different in appearance from those which have heretofore been used. The ornamental or colored surface should contrast with the external surface of the shell. and may be applied t the liner in anv suitable manner either bv direct painting or printing thereon, or by attaching to the liner, as by adhesive, a strip or surface ma terial 19 which completely encircle-s the Vliner and is of sufficient wir th to overlie the open ings i8. In the forni illustrated, the ornamental 4surface is applied in this manner, and in Figure 4L the liner is shown withdrawn from the shell. As will be understood, these liners are removable, and, therefore, it is possible to supply dealers with a stock of differentlv colored liners so that any desired color or ornamental surface may be inserted in the shells astney are purchased. An important feature of the invention is the removability of the ornamental surface which enables the appearance of the shell to be changed in accordance with the wishes of the user or puri chaser.

It will be understood that this eHect is produced without in any way complicating the construction of the shell, since the liner, which is a standard Dart of the socket construction, is employed to perform the additional function of producing an ornamental eect by holding the surface of Contrasting color against and in registry with the openings through which the surface is exposed. Obviouslyr modifications may be made in the construction of the shell and liner without departing from the invention, the essential features of which are set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

l. An electric lamp socket comprising a shell adapted to receive therein electrical conductor and lamp contact parts and a liner in said shell, the shell wall having an opening therein and the liner having an ornamental surface in registry with and exposed through said opening whereby it serves both to ornament the socket and to separate the shell from interior parts.

2. An electric lamp socket comprising a shell adapted to receive therein electrical conductor and lamp contact parts and an insulating liner in said shell, the shell having an opening therein and the liner having an ornamental surface in registry with and exposed through said opening whereby it serves both to ornament the socket and to insulate the shellfrom interior parts.

rsazis 8. An electric lamp socket comprising a shell adapted to receive therein electrical conductor and lamp contact parts and a liner in said shell, the shell wall having openings therein, said liner having a surface colored to contrast with the shell and exposed through said openings whereby the liner serves both to ornament the socket and to separate the'shell from the interior parts. y

il. An electric lamp socket comprising a shell adapted to receive therein electrical conductor and lamp contact parts and having a reduced neck portion adapted to receive a lamp base, a liner in said shell, the shell wall having openings therein extending around said neck portion, and a surface covering on said liner colored to contrast with the shell and exposed through said openings whereby the liner serves both to ornament the socket and to separate the shell from the interior parts.

5. An electric ylamp socket comprising a shell adapted to receive socket interior parts and having an exposed opening therein, a liner in said shell and a surface of material colored to contrast with the shell disposed between the liner and said opening, the liner serving both to hold said material against the opening and to separate the shell from the interior parts.

6. An electric lamp pocket comprising a shell adapted to receive socket interior parts and having a plurality of exposed openings therein, a removable liner of insulating material in said shell overlying said openings and a Surface of material colored to contrast with the shell disposed between the liner and said openings, the liner serving both to hold said material against the openings'and to insulate the shell from the interior parts.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set .my hand.

JOHN WEBER. 

